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Frequently asked questions
Pediatric Physical Therapy
How do I know if my baby may benefit from physical therapy?
If you have concerns about your baby's head control, tummy time, rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, walking, symmetry, muscle tone, or overall movement development, a pediatric PT evaluation can help clarify what you are seeing and whether support or monitoring may be useful.
Does my child need a diagnosis to come to pediatric PT?
No. Families often seek an evaluation because they have concerns about movement, milestones, balance, coordination, walking, strength, endurance, pain, or participation.
What happens during a pediatric PT evaluation?
We talk with you about your concerns and priorities, observe your child moving during meaningful activities, assess relevant movement and physical skills, and discuss recommendations and next steps.
Can MOCO help with gait, toe walking, orthotics, or adaptive equipment?
Yes. Depending on the child's needs, PT may include gait and biomechanical assessment, orthotic and equipment collaboration, mobility training, and strategies for participation across environments.
Is every child treated with the Spider Cage, TheraSuit, or NDT?
No. These are tools and clinical approaches, not a one-size-fits-all program. Therapists choose interventions based on the child's goals, movement needs, response, and clinical reasoning.
Does MOCO provide continuous weekly PT?
Sometimes, but not always. Frequency is individualized. Episodic or focused periods of care may be appropriate when they support the child's goals and allow time for real-life practice and participation.
How is MOCO physical therapy different?
MOCO connects movement analysis and evidence-informed pediatric rehabilitation with child-led, family-centered, neuro-affirming care. We focus on meaningful self-initiated movement, participation, environmental design, and helping skills carry into everyday life.
What ages does MOCO's pediatric PT team see?
MOCO's physical therapists work with children and young adults from infancy through age eighteen, from a baby's first movement milestones through the mobility, sports, and independence goals of the teen years.
Does insurance cover pediatric PT at MOCO?
MOCO works with a range of insurance plans; coverage depends on your specific plan. Visit our Insurance & Billing page for current details, or reach out and we can help you figure out what your plan covers.
Pediatric Occupational Therapy
What does a pediatric occupational therapist work on?
A pediatric occupational therapist works on the skills children need for everyday life, including fine motor skills, sensory processing, regulation, motor planning, self-care, feeding, handwriting, play, and school participation. At MOCO, the goal is not just skill practice. The goal is helping a child participate more independently and confidently at home, at school, in play, and in the community.
How is MOCO’s OT approach different?
MOCO occupational therapists use Applied Functional Therapy, which means every skill built in therapy is connected to meaningful everyday participation. A child may be working on hand strength, sensory processing, regulation, or motor planning, but the larger question is always: where does this skill need to show up in real life?
What conditions do you support?
MOCO occupational therapists support children with autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, developmental coordination disorder, sensory processing differences, cognitive impairments, learning disabilities, developmental delays, infant development concerns, feeding concerns, and children recovering from injuries. Many families also come without a formal diagnosis because something about daily routines, play, regulation, movement, or independence feels harder than expected.
What is the difference between OT and PT?
Occupational therapy focuses on the skills children need for daily life, such as fine motor skills, self-care, sensory processing, regulation, feeding, handwriting, play, and school participation. Physical therapy focuses more on gross motor skills, including strength, balance, walking, running, climbing, jumping, endurance, and mobility. Many children benefit from both, and MOCO’s PT, OT, and speech-language therapy teams coordinate closely.
Does OT help with sensory processing?
Yes. Occupational therapy can help children who are sensitive to sensory input, seek extra movement or pressure, become overwhelmed in busy environments, or have difficulty calming and participating. At MOCO, sensory support is connected to regulation, movement, relationships, and daily routines so children can participate more fully in real life.
Does OT help with handwriting?
Yes. OT can support handwriting readiness, pencil grasp, visual-motor coordination, posture, hand strength, spacing, sizing, and writing endurance. At MOCO, we also look at the skills underneath handwriting, including trunk control, shoulder stability, sensory regulation, attention, and confidence.
Does OT help with feeding?
Yes. OT may help with self-feeding, utensil use, cup drinking, sensory-based food selectivity, mealtime posture, regulation during meals, and participation in family mealtime routines. When needed, MOCO’s occupational therapists collaborate with speech-language pathologists, physicians, dietitians, and other feeding specialists.
Does my child need a diagnosis to start OT?
No. MOCO works with children who have a diagnosis, children whose needs are still being evaluated, and children whose families have concerns about movement, regulation, fine motor skills, feeding, play, school participation, independence, or daily routines.
How do we get started?
Call MOCO Movement Center at 301-770-5437 or reach out through the contact form to schedule an occupational therapy evaluation.
Where is MOCO located, and who do you serve?
MOCO Movement Center is located in Kensington, MD, and sees children and families from throughout Montgomery County, including Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Potomac, as well as Prince George's and Howard Counties, Washington, DC, and the greater DMV.
Pediatric Speech
What does a pediatric speech-language pathologist work on?
Sounds and articulation, understanding and using language, stuttering and disruptions in the flow of speech, apraxia, social communication, AAC for non-speaking and minimally speaking children, early literacy, and feeding and swallowing.
What conditions do you support?
Children with apraxia, autism, sensory processing disorder, Down syndrome, cognitive impairments, learning disabilities, developmental delays, hearing loss, and children recovering from injury that's affecting communication or feeding.
What's the difference between speech therapy and language therapy?
Speech is how sounds are produced: articulation, voice, and the flow of speech. Language is understanding and using words, sentences, and social communication. Some children work primarily on speech or language, while many goals involve both.
Do you offer AAC support?
Yes. We support a wide variety of AAC tools, including speech-generating devices, apps, core boards, picture systems, low-tech supports, and alternative access methods. Our SLPs handle evaluations, device trials, setup, and family training, and we coordinate with schools.
How is MOCO's approach different from a typical speech clinic?
Speech work at MOCO happens inside movement and play because children communicate more naturally when they're engaged. Your child's SLP also coordinates directly with their PT or OT under the same roof.
Where is MOCO located, and who do you serve?
MOCO Movement Center is located in Kensington, MD, and sees children and families from throughout Montgomery County, including Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Potomac, as well as Prince George's and Howard Counties, Washington, DC, and the greater DMV.
Insurance & Billing
Is MOCO in-network with my insurance?
MOCO is in-network with Kaiser Permanente commercial plans. MOCO is out-of-network with all other commercial insurance carriers.
What does out-of-network mean for my child's care?
Out-of-network does not mean out of reach. Many plans include out-of-network benefits that can provide coverage comparable to in-network care. MOCO verifies your benefits, submits claims directly to your carrier, and walks you through anticipated costs before you get started.
Does MOCO accept Medicare/Medicaid?
MOCO does not participate with or bill Medicare/Medicaid plans, including Kaiser Permanente Medicaid products. Families with Medicare/Medicaid may still receive care at MOCO if it is a secondary plan behind commercial insurance, or through a limited episode of care while transitioning to a Medicare/Medicaid-participating provider.
Can I use Medicare/Medicaid as secondary insurance at MOCO?
Yes. If your child has a commercial insurance plan as primary and Medicare or Medicaid as secondary, MOCO can bill the primary commercial plan. Because MOCO does not participate with Medicare or Medicaid, any remaining balance is billed at MOCO's self-pay rate.
What is a Verification of Benefits (VOB), and how long does it take?
A VOB is how MOCO's Billing Team confirms what your insurance plan covers before your child starts care. It is generally completed within 3 business days, and a member of the Billing Team will personally walk you through your benefits, anticipated costs, and next steps.
What is private pay, and is it right for my family?
Private pay means skipping insurance claims altogether and paying directly for care. It can be a good fit if your plan does not include therapy benefits, you have used this year's visit limit, you want a program your plan does not cover, or you would rather start now than wait on an authorization.
How do I get started with MOCO?
Start by contacting MOCO's Scheduling Team at scheduling@mocomc.com or 301-770-5437, Option 3. From there, MOCO's team will guide you through insurance verification, registration, and scheduling your child's first evaluation.
Who do I contact with billing questions?
MOCO's Billing Team is available at billingteam@mocomc.com or the direct billing line for questions about benefits, claims, or an Explanation of Benefits.
Early Intervention
Do I need a diagnosis to start Early Intervention at MOCO?
No. Some families come with a diagnosis, some with a pediatrician's recommendation, and some simply because something feels harder than expected for their child's age. All are valid reasons to reach out.
Does MOCO accept MCITP referrals?
Yes. If your Infant and Toddler Program therapist recommends outpatient therapy, we're glad to see your child for a full evaluation. Our evaluations are thorough, and we use them to build a clear picture of what your child needs next.
What's the difference between the county's Early Intervention services and MOCO's private Early Intervention therapy?
County Early Intervention follows a parent-coaching model. Your Infant and Toddler Program therapist visits your home and teaches you how to build your child's skills into everyday routines, with a focus on how those skills support your child's ability to access their environment and, eventually, their education. It's typically state-funded, often at low or no cost depending on your jurisdiction and family income.MOCO's private Early Intervention therapy works differently. We treat your child directly, hands-on, in our gym, alongside the same kind of parent coaching so progress carries over at home. This is often a good fit for families who want more frequent, focused, clinic-based sessions, or for children whose needs benefit from specialized equipment and one-on-one therapist support. Private sessions are billed to insurance or paid out-of-pocket.Many families use both: MCITP for home-based routine coaching through the state program, and MOCO for focused, clinic-based sessions. We're happy to talk through what makes sense for your family.
What ages does Early Intervention serve?
Early Intervention generally refers to services for children from birth through age three. MOCO is here for every stage after that too. We treat children from infancy through age eighteen.
Therapy Intensive
What is a Therapy Intensive, or High Frequency Episode of Care?
It's a short, focused stretch of therapy where your child is seen several times a week, usually three to five, for one to three weeks, working toward a specific goal. Instead of spreading practice out over months, we concentrate it, so skills build and stick faster.
Is a Therapy Intensive instead of regular therapy?
Not usually. Most families use a Therapy Intensive alongside or in between regular sessions of pediatric PT, OT, or speech therapy, to push through a plateau or take advantage of a window where a child is close to a new skill.
What kinds of goals work well for a Therapy Intensive?
Goals that benefit from repetition are packed close together: learning to ride a bike, walking or moving independently, jumping and balance, fine motor and self-care skills, and speech and movement goals worked on together.
How do I know if my child is ready for one?
The best way is to talk it through with our team. We'll look at where your child is right now and help you decide whether a short, high frequency stretch of therapy makes sense, or whether ongoing sessions are the better fit.
Therapy
What's the difference between PT, OT, and Speech therapy?
Physical Therapy focuses on movement, strength, and balance. Occupational Therapy focuses on the everyday skills of childhood, like play, feeding, and fine motor tasks. Speech-Language Therapy focuses on communication, from first words to conversation. Many kids benefit from more than one, and our team coordinates across all three.
What is a High Frequency Episode of Care?
It's a short, intensive round of therapy built around one specific goal, like learning to ride a bike, getting past a plateau in walking, or having a child crawl independently.
Do I need a referral to start therapy at MOCO?
This is dependent on your insurance plan see our Insurance page.
Does MOCO accept insurance?
See our Insurance and Billing page for full details on which plans MOCO works with.
Our Team
Who founded MOCO Movement Center?
MOCO Movement Center was founded by Andrea Santman, PT, DPT, a pediatric physical therapist. She also developed Applied Functional Therapy (AFT), the clinical model used across the practice.
What kinds of therapists work at MOCO Movement Center?
MOCO's clinical team includes pediatric physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. They work at MOCO's Kensington, Maryland location at 5268 Nicholson Lane, Suite A.
Are MOCO's therapists licensed and certified?
Yes. MOCO's physical therapists are licensed and hold doctoral degrees in physical therapy. Occupational therapists are registered and licensed (OTR/L). Speech-language pathologists hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA (CCC-SLP).
Who developed Applied Functional Therapy?
Applied Functional Therapy (AFT) was developed by MOCO founder Andrea Santman, PT, DPT. AFT builds therapy goals into activities a child already enjoys, so skills transfer to home, school, playground, and community life.
Do MOCO's therapists work together across disciplines?
Yes. MOCO is an interdisciplinary practice. Physical, occupational, and speech-language therapists share the same gym, the same equipment, and often the same child's goals. A child working on communication may do it while climbing. A child working on motor planning may do it while talking.
Where do MOCO's therapists see children?
MOCO Movement Center is located in Kensington, MD, and sees children and families from throughout Montgomery County, including Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Potomac, as well as Prince George's and Howard Counties, Washington, DC, and the greater DMV. To schedule, call 301-770-5437.
Bike Intensive
What if my child doesn't ride independently in five days?
Every child learns at a different pace, and that's okay. Progress depends on a lot of factors: attention, motor planning, balance, confidence, and how much a child practices at home between sessions. Kids who need more time usually benefit from one or two Carry-Over sessions ($75 for 45 minutes), a short home-practice pause, or in some cases a second intensive week (returning families get 25% off). Our goal was never just to get a child pedaling. It's to build the confidence, safety awareness, and coordination that make riding stick for good.
What actually happens during the Bike Fit?
The Bike Fit is more than an equipment check. It's the real starting point of your child's program. Our team evaluates your child's current riding skills, adjusts the bike for safety and fit, and looks for things like attention, balance reactions, core strength, and comfort with repetition. From there, we give you honest, realistic expectations and often a few home activities to start on right away.
What's your weather policy?
The Bike Intensive is an outdoor program, so we watch the forecast closely. If rain, storms, or unsafe temperatures are expected, we'll make a call as soon as possible and reach out by phone and email. When we can, we move sessions later in the day or offer an alternate time, though instructor availability can't always guarantee a same-day makeup. Full details are in our Inclement Weather Policy.
Where do lessons take place?
Your child's Bike Fit takes place at our Kensington office, 5268 Nicholson Lane, Suite A. Riding lessons take place at a nearby outdoor location well-suited for learning to ride; we'll share those details directly with registered families. We're also actively exploring covered and indoor training space so we can keep sessions running rain or shine.
What's your registration, cancellation, and refund policy?
Because the Bike Intensive is a small, highly individualized program, spots are limited and reserved specifically for your child. Refunds scale down the closer you get to your child's Bike Fit date (full refund 30+ days out, 50% at 14-29 days, no refund inside 13 days or once the Bike Fit is complete). The Bike Fit itself is non-refundable once completed. Full details are in our Registration, Cancellation & Refund Policy.
Do I need to sign anything before my child starts?
Yes. Every family completes a short waiver and consent form before the first session.
Skill Builders
What ages do MOCO's Fall Skill Builders classes serve?
Classes are grouped by age: Tots in Motion and Tiny Tumblers for ages 2–3, Tumbling Tots for ages 3–4, and Kids in Motion for ages 3–5.
How much do fall classes cost?
A 7-week session is $280. No membership is required, and families register by session.
Do parents need to attend class with their child?
Yes. All four Fall classes — Tots in Motion, Kids in Motion, Tiny Tumblers, and Tumbling Tots — are parent/child classes.
Are MOCO's classes the same as therapy?
No. Skill Builders classes are a movement enrichment program, not a substitute for therapy, though they're designed by the same staff who work with children in our therapy programs.
Where is MOCO Movement Center located?
MOCO Movement Center is located in Kensington, MD, and sees children and families from throughout Montgomery County, including Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Potomac, as well as Prince George's and Howard Counties, Washington, DC, and the greater DMV.
How do I register for fall classes?
Families choose a class based on age and day, submit a short registration form, and MOCO confirms placement before payment is finalized. Register directly at this registration form.
Summer Adventure
Is MOCO Summer Adventure open for registration right now?
No. Summer Adventure is full for 2026. Registration for summer 2027 has not opened yet. Families can join the 2027 interest list to hear first.
How do I get on the waitlist for Summer 2027?
Fill out the Summer Adventure 2027 interest list form on this page. MOCO will reach out to everyone on the list before general registration opens.
What ages is MOCO Summer Adventure for?
Summer Adventure is designed for children approximately ages 5 to 10.
What is the child-to-staff ratio?
MOCO keeps a 4:1 child-to-staff ratio throughout the program.
Is Summer Adventure a therapy program?
No. Summer Adventure is a half-day enrichment program led by MOCO's Movement Aides. It is not a substitute for therapy, though activities are chosen with development in mind.
Where is MOCO Summer Adventure located?
MOCO Movement Center is located in Kensington, MD, and sees children and families from throughout Montgomery County, including Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Potomac, as well as Prince George's and Howard Counties, Washington, DC, and the greater DMV.
First Friday Playdate
Do I need to register in advance?
Yes, preregistration is required. It takes about 30 seconds — find the form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZXbTQCl7ejhfc9WR0SWwFGsgNXa3i6rJ8G29vgH-TLLkYHA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101461656238923881998 or at the top of this page.
Does my child need to be receiving services at MOCO to come?
Not at all. The playdate is for any family currently enrolled in the Montgomery County Infant and Toddler Program. Your child's services can be through Infant & Toddler Program Families, somewhere else entirely, or not yet started. You're welcome here regardless.
My child just aged out of Infant & Toddler Program Families. Can we still come?
Yes, especially in those first months after the transition. A lot of families find the "what now" period after Infant & Toddler Program Families ends to be the most confusing stretch. We're happy to have you, and the conversations around what comes next are some of the most useful ones we have.
What's the difference between Infant & Toddler Program Families and outpatient therapy?
Infant & Toddler Program Families is a parent training model: a specialist comes to your home and teaches you how to support your child's development during everyday routines. Outpatient therapy involves direct, hands-on clinical work with your child using specialized equipment and approaches. The two are different in purpose and structure, and they complement each other well. Many families do both.
What happens when my child turns 3 and ages out of Infant & Toddler Program Families?
Infant & Toddler Program Families services end, and families who want continued support typically transition to Child Find through Montgomery County Public Schools (call 301-947-6080 to start the process). You can also continue or begin outpatient therapy at a practice like MOCO. The transition can feel abrupt, and we try to help families think through it before it arrives. This comes up at almost every playdate.
Can I bring siblings?
Yes, but please register siblings too since space is limited. Parents are responsible for watching their own kids during the playdate.
Turning Three: Transition to Outpatient
What happens when my child ages out of the Infant and Toddler Program?
As your child's third birthday approaches, your ITP team will talk with you about next steps, which may include moving into preschool special education through Child Find, qualifying for an IEP, receiving school-based therapy, adding outpatient therapy, or not needing further services at all. Every child's path looks different.
Do I need outpatient therapy if my child is getting school-based services?
Not necessarily, but many children benefit from both at once. School-based therapy helps a child access their school day, while outpatient therapy looks at everything else: home, play, community, and family life. An evaluation can help clarify whether your child would benefit from both.
How is outpatient therapy different from Early Intervention?
Early Intervention centers on coaching families inside everyday routines like home and childcare. Outpatient therapy is more targeted, since children are a little older, and can focus specifically on skills like fine motor development, gross motor skills, or speech and language, depending on what your child needs next.
What happens during an outpatient evaluation?
Your therapist listens to your concerns, reviews your child's developmental history, and spends real time watching your child through play and structured activities, adding standardized testing when useful. You'll walk away with a written report, professional recommendations, and a plan of care if therapy makes sense.
Will insurance cover outpatient therapy after Early Intervention?
Coverage and network status can vary by plan. Please visit our Insurance and Billing page for current, accurate details on how MOCO works with insurance, and reach out if you have questions specific to your plan.
How do I get started with MOCO after leaving MCITP?
Reach out to schedule a comprehensive evaluation. Whether your MCITP therapist suggested it or you just want a clearer picture of where your child stands, our team can help you figure out the right next step.
AFT
What is Applied Functional Therapy?
Applied Functional Therapy is MOCO Movement Center’s treatment philosophy and clinical reasoning framework. It guides how therapists connect movement, regulation, communication, relationships, motivation, and the environment so a child can participate more fully in everyday life. MOCO therapists infuse therapeutic goals into activities the child is genuinely motivated by, then use the environment to change patterns and increase variability.
Is AFT a separate therapy program?
No. AFT is not a separate program, service, or billing code. It is the approach MOCO therapists use while providing Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy, and Early Intervention within a child’s plan of care.
How is AFT different from practicing isolated therapy skills?
AFT connects therapeutic goals to activities that are meaningful and motivating to the child, because motivation and engagement are essential to learning a new skill. Therapists consider not only whether a child can perform a skill, but whether the child can start it, adapt it, communicate during it, and use it during everyday routines.
Does AFT mean therapy always takes place outside the clinic?
No. AFT may take place in MOCO’s gym, in the home, or in community environments connected to a child’s goals. The location does not make the treatment AFT. AFT is defined by how the therapist connects clinical goals to meaningful activity, adapts the environment, and supports functional participation.
How do MOCO therapists choose treatment activities?
Activities are selected and adapted by the child’s licensed therapist based on the plan of care, therapeutic goals, safety, readiness, interests, motivation, and functional needs. At MOCO the saying is “don’t waste a movement.” Climbing, skating, biking, an obstacle course, or music may look playful, and one activity can address strength, postural alignment, motor planning, executive function, sensory regulation, communication, endurance, and participation at the same time.
Which MOCO services use AFT?
AFT guides MOCO’s Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy, and Early Intervention services. The specific activities and clinical focus vary according to the child’s discipline, goals, and plan of care.
How will I know whether my child is making progress?
Progress in AFT is measured by how a child uses a skill in everyday life, not only by whether the child can perform it during therapy. Progress may include needing less assistance, trying with greater confidence, adapting when something changes, communicating more effectively, participating for longer, or using a skill in more than one setting. The goal is not to keep a child dependent on therapy. The goal is to help skills become usable, flexible, and meaningful outside of MOCO.
How can families support AFT goals between sessions?
MOCO therapists help families find practical ways to support progress inside routines that are already part of a child’s life. MOCO’s gym is set up with equipment children encounter in their natural environments, which gives families realistic ways to participate in the work throughout the week. Carryover may involve adjusting the environment, creating opportunities to practice a skill, changing how much support is given, or helping a child take a more active role in a daily routine.
Does my child need a diagnosis?
No. MOCO works with children who have a diagnosis, children whose needs are still being evaluated, and children whose families have concerns about movement, communication, regulation, confidence.
Is Applied Functional Therapy covered by insurance?
Applied Functional Therapy is not a separate billing code or an additional service. It is the treatment approach MOCO therapists use while providing Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy, and Early Intervention. Coverage depends on the service provided, the child’s plan of care, and the family’s insurance benefits. Please visit our Insurance and Billing page for additional information.
Resource Guide
What free adaptive sports programs are available for kids in Montgomery County, Maryland?
KEEN Greater DC offers free, volunteer-supported recreation and sports programs for youth with cognitive and physical disabilities. The Miracle League of Montgomery County offers adaptive baseball, and the Montgomery Cheetahs offer adaptive ice hockey. See our Adaptive Sports section above for the full list.
Are there grants to help pay for pediatric occupational or speech therapy?
Yes — several grants may help. UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation offers grants up to $5,000. Small Steps in Speech specifically funds speech therapy and AAC devices. Maryland's LISS program offers up to $2,000 for individuals with developmental disabilities. See our Financial Assistance section for the complete list.
How do I apply for an AAC device for my child?
Small Steps in Speech and iTaalk Foundation both provide grants specifically for AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) devices. Your child's speech-language pathologist can also help identify funding pathways through insurance and other sources. Talk to your MOCO therapist if you need guidance.
What summer camps are available for children with special needs in Maryland?
Several resources can help you find camps: the Spina Bifida Association maintains a searchable directory of adaptive camps, and Chesapeake Family publishes a Maryland-specific special needs camp guide. Adventure Amputee Camp serves children with limb differences specifically. See our Camps section above for direct links.
Are there therapeutic horseback riding programs near Kensington or Rockville, MD?
Yes — Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding is located in Barnesville, MD, and Maryland Therapeutic Riding is in Crownsville, MD. Both offer equine-assisted therapy programs. Contact them directly to learn about eligibility and availability.
How does the Maryland Universal Disability Pass work?
The Maryland Universal Disability Pass provides free access to all Maryland State Parks for individuals with qualifying disabilities. Visit the Maryland DNR website (linked in our Accessibility Passes section) to learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
How can I find clinical research studies for my child near Bethesda, MD?
ClinicalTrials.gov lets you search by condition and location — filter for Maryland or the DC metro area. The NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda is also an excellent resource; you can call their patient recruitment line at 800-411-1222. Kennedy Krieger Institute and Children's National Hospital also maintain active pediatric research programs.
My child is under 3 and I think they have a developmental delay. Where do I start in Montgomery County?
Start with the Montgomery County Infant & Toddler Program (ITP). This is a free, federally funded early intervention program that serves children birth–3 with developmental delays or disabilities. You can refer your own child — no doctor's referral is required. If your child is turning 3, ask about transitioning to Child Find and MCPS special education services.
What is Child Find and how do I request an evaluation for my child?
Child Find is a federally mandated program that requires Montgomery County Public Schools to identify, locate, and evaluate any child ages 2–21 who may have a disability. As a parent, you have the right to request a free evaluation in writing at any time — no doctor's note needed. Contact your local MCPS school or the MCPS Special Education office to submit your request.
Does MOCO Movement Center accept new patients?
Yes! MOCO Movement Center in Kensington, MD offers pediatric occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology, as well as children's movement classes and summer programs. Contact us at (301) 770-5437 or visit mocomc.com to get started.
Careers
Do I need to be available on weekends to work at MOCO?
Yes, most clinical roles include at least one weekend shift (Saturday and/or Sunday), because that's when many school-age families can come in.
How late do sessions run in the evening?
Sessions typically run as late as 6:30 to 7:00pm on weekdays to accommodate the school schedule.
Do you hire part-time or PRN therapists?
Yes. Our Therapeutic Aide role is part-time, and we regularly have part-time and weekend-only clinical openings.
What licenses do I need to work at MOCO?
Maryland licensure (or active licensure-in-progress) as a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or Speech-Language Pathologist, depending on the role.
What non-clinical roles does MOCO hire for?
We also hire for Scheduler and Therapeutic Aide roles supporting our clinical team and our movement classes and programs.
How do I apply to MOCO?
Submit the online application on this page with your resume attached. Our team follows up within a few business days.
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